Apparatus for the treatment of parts

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for drying, cleaning or degreasing parts in which the parts are introduced into a body of drying, cleaning or degreasing medium in a chamber, the chamber being resiliently mounted and arranged to be subjected to a vibratory movement causing the charge of parts and a proportion of the medium to move outwards to the periphery of the chamber and from thence to climb up and around a spiral channel to a level above the body of medium, the parts and any medium carried up the spiral then being separated above the centre of the spiral so that the medium falls back into the chamber and the parts are discharged from the machine.

United States Patet [1 1 Cunningham-Smith PARTS [75] Inventor:

Harpenden, England [73] Assignee:

David Cunningham-Smith,

William Boulton Limited,

APPARATUS FOR THE TREATMENT OF Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, EnglandFiled:

July 2, 1970 July 1, 1971 Appl. No.: 158,747

References Cited Foreign Application Priority Data Great Britain32,121/70 UNITED STATES PATENTS Desmond et al 134/117 Keys 134/132 XPrimary Examiner-Robert L. Bleutge Attorney-Alan H. Levine [57] ABSTRACTApparatus for drying, cleaning or degreasing parts in which the partsare introduced into a body of drying, cleaning or degreasing medium in achamber, the chamber being resiliently mounted and arranged to besubjected to a vibratory movement causing the charge of parts and aproportion of the medium to move outwards to the periphery of thechamber and from thence to climb up and around a spiral channel to alevel above the body of medium, the parts and any medium carried up thespiral then being separated above the centre of the spiral so that themedium falls back into the chamber and the parts are discharged from themachine.

13 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PmmEuuam 1 1913 7 31777770 SHEET 30F 4Inventor:

13 Cunmueunn- SMITH Attorneys PATENTED DEC 1 1 ms SHEET '4 BF 4 HHH4Inventor: PAW Cuuu/Mae/mn- 5mm y @;L W Attorneys APPARATUS FOR THETREATMENT OF PARTS The invention relates to the treatment of parts orcomponents and is applicable, for example, to the drying, cleaning ordegreasing of such items.

According to the invention there is provided apparatus for the treatmentof parts comprising a chamber adapted to receive a body of treatingmedium and parts to be treated, a vertically orientated spiral pathhaving its lower end communicating with the chamber and capable ofaccommodating the parts, and means for applying to the chamber and thespiral path a vibratory movement effective to cause the parts to travelfrom the chamber up and around the path and out of the body of treatingmedium while undergoing orbital movement in substantially verticalplanes.

The path is preferably located within the chamber but may extend aroundthe outside of the chamber.

The treating medium may comprise a cleaning or degreasing fluid or adrying medium such as a dewatering liquid or maize or sawdust. in somecases the apparatus may include means for applying heat to the medium.This may be effected by means of a heating chamber located beneath themain chamber and accommodating a heating coil. Alternatively hot airfrom an outside source could be introduced into a similar heatingchamber or direct into the main chamber.

Preferably the vibratory movement is applied by means of avertically-orientated motor whose shaft is fitted with eccentricweights, the motor being attached to said chamber and the latter beingresiliently supported on a fixed base. The eccentricity of one or bothof the weights is preferably adjustable to enable the vibratory movementto be controlled.

The spiral path may be a closed tube but is preferably an open channel.Where maize or a similar drying medium is utilized the bottom of thechannel or tube is preferably perforated adjacent its upper, deliveryend,

whereby the maize falls back into the chamber and the parts progress toa delivery outlet. Where a closed tube is used the upper end may beopen-topped to allow inspection of the product or to enable air, washingliquid or other medium to be directed on to parts which have, forexample, been degreased, prior to their delivery from the machine. Thechamber may be enclosed by a removeable top or lid which may be providedwith an inspection window.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of exampleonly, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a sectional elevation of a vibratory drier;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the drier of FIG. 1 with the top cover removed;

FIG. 3 shows an alternative form of top cover;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are views similar to FIGS. 1 and 2 showing a vibratorydegreaser; and

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view showing the liquid circulation system usedwith the machine of FIGS. 4 and 5.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2,.the drier consists of a housing unit 3mounted on a vibrator assembly 4. The housing unit comprises acylindrical chamber 5 in which a spiral, open-topped channel 6 islocated. The channel rises from the floor of the chamber through threequarters of a turn to a high level outlet opening 7. The portion 8 ofthe channel adjacent the outlet opening is perforated for a reason whichwill appear hereafter, and the chamber walls are provided with asynthetic rubber or other suitable lining (not shown). The chamber has aconical floor 9 below which is a heating compartment 10 containing aheating coil 11. The chamber is closed by a top cover 12 having an inletchute 13 shown in FIG. 1 and in broken lines in FIG. 2. This requiresthat the machine be loaded from one location and may be replaced by afunnel-shaped top cover such as that shown at 12a in FIG. 3 is requiredto enable loading right round the machine.

The vibratory assembly 4 comprises a cylindrical base 15 on which issupported, by an annular series of compression springs 16, an annularsupport or platform 17 carrying a depending cylindrical sleeve 18 whichis rigidified by braces 19 connected to the platform. A vibrator motor20 is supported within the sleeve 18 by upper and lower annular supportrings 21 and 22. The motor shaft 23 projects above and below the motorcasing and is fitted with relatively angularly adjustable ec-' centricweights 24, 25. Due to the provision of these weights and to theresilient mounting of the motor assembly, rotation of the motor impartsto the platform 17 (and hence to the housing supported thereon) avibro-gyratory action in the form of a high frequency rotary oscillationabout the central axis of the motor and the housing with an upward anddownward component in the movement. The compartment 26 formed betweenthe base of the housing unit and the platform 17 serves to insulate thevibrator assembly from the heater 11.

The machine is provided with a series of transport wheels 30 supportedby bracket assemblies 31 secured to the inner perimeter of the base 15of the vibrator assembly. A corresponding series of manually operablehydraulic jocks 32 are provided on the outer perimeter of the base 15and these may be extended to lift and support the machine and its wheelsclear of the ground during operation. This is an optional feature whichmay be omitted entirely if desired leaving a fixed machine standing onthe base 15.

In use of the equipment a quantity of drying media such as maize isplaced in the bottom of the chamber 5. The maize is inserted from aboveby means of the chute 13 in the top cover 12 and falls into the chamberthrough the centre of the spiral. While the quantity of maize or otherdrying medium used may vary, a typical level to which the chamber may befilled is indicated by the broken line L in FIG. 1. The heating coil 11is then turned on to raize the temperature of the maize and the motorstarted. After a sufficient period of time to allow the maize to attainthe desired predetermined temperature which is thereafter maintainedsteady by thermostatic control, parts to be treated are dropped into theheated maize through the chute 13. The vibrations transmitted to themixture of maize and parts together with the conical form of the floorof the chamber causes the mixture to travel outwards and then up andaround the spiral channel 6 while at the same time undergoing orbitalmovement in substantially vertical planes. An extremely rapid andeffective drying action is thereby produced and on reaching the upperend of the spiral the maize falls back into the chamber through theperforated portion 8 of the channel floor, and the parts continue theirtravel under the influence of the vibration and are delivered from themachine through the outlet opening 7 which terminates in a dischargechute.

The machine shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 is similar in its basic constructionto the drier of FIGS. 1 to 3 but is designed to degrease components. Itconsists of a housing unit mounted on a vibrator assembly, the latterbeing identical in construction to the vibrator assembly of FIGS. 1 and2 but without the transport wheels. The housing unit is also similar tothat of FIGS. 1 to 3 and comprises a cylindrical chamber 35incorporating a spiral, open-topped channel 36 rising from the floorthrough three-quarters of a turn to a high level outlet opening 37. Theupper end 38 of the channel is perforated and the chamber has a conicalfloor 39 beneath which is a heating compartment 40 containing a heatingcoil 41.

A weir 45 is mounted within the chamber 35 and is spaced slightly fromthe chamber wall to form an arcuate clearance 46. An outlet pipe 47communicates with this clearance and with a recirculation tank orreservoir 48 (FIG. 6). The arrangement is such that degreasing liquid inthe chamber is maintained at a constant level by overflow over the weir45 and is recirculated from the tank 48, to a spray pipe 49 disposedabove the channel 36 and which directs degreasing liquid on to thecomponents moving up the channel as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 5.

Referring to FIG. 6, liquid collected in the clearance 46 passes alongpipe 47 and enters a sludge trap 50 in the recirculation tank. Thesludge trap incorporates a removable container 51 for ease of cleaning,and liquid passes out of the trap over a partition wall 52 and through asecond compartment 53 which it leaves via a perforated grill 54 at thefoot of the wall 55 at the opposite side of the compartment from wall52. This bottom exit leaves any floating impurities on the surface ofthe liquid in compartment 53 in the form of a scum. The sludge-andscum-free liquid then enters a further compartment 56 containing aheater 57, if required, and a pump 58 driven by a motor 59 through ashaft 60. The pump draws the liquid through a filter 61 into a pipe 62from whence it is delivered to the spray pipe 49 and the spiral channel36. A drain pipe 63 also leads into the recirculation tank from the footof the chamber 35 to enable emptying of the chamber when required. Thedrain pipe incorporates a stop cock 64.

The apparatus may be used for alkaline or solvent degreasing. In theformer case the liquid is heated by the heating coil 41 and the tankheater 57 and the emulsified grease removed from the components isgathered as a scum in compartment 53. Where a solvent solution is usedit may or may not be heated depending on the circumstances. In bothcases, and especially where heated solutions are required, fumes will begiven off and a condenser coil 70 is provided beneath the top cover 12to condense these. Fume extraction apparatus indicated at 71 is alsoprovided above the chute 13 to remove any fumes not condensed.

Though not illustrated the chamber and channel walls will be suitablylined, the lining depending on the degreasing solution used and thenature and size of the components. The lining of both chamber andchannel must be resistant to the solution used and it may also bedesired to afford a measure of resilience to prevent damage tocomponents by contact with the channel walls. Synthetic rubber andplastics materials are possible liners and in some cases the channel maybe made entirely from plastics material.

In operation the chamber is filled to the level of the top of the weirwith the degreasing liquid which is heated if appropriate and circulatedthrough the tank 48 by means of the pump 58. The parts to be degreasedare inserted through the chute 13 along with a carrier medium of agenerally discrete granular nature and of a material resistant to thedegreasing solution and not liable to damage the parts. Substantiallyspherical particles of zircon have been found to be particularlysuitable as a carrier medium. The vibratory motion imparted to thechamber by the vibratory assembly together with the conical shape of thechamber floor then constrains the charge of carrier media and parts tomove outwards across the floor and to rise up and around the spiralthrough the degreasing liquid while a of the liquid but are thensubjected to the action of recirculated liquid from the spray pipe 49.This liquid drains down the channel into the chamber and excess liquidflows over the weir 45 and is recirculated as previously described. Whenthe charge of carrier media and parts reaches the upper perforatedsection 38 of the channel the media fall through the perforations andback into the chamber for re-use while the degreased parts are movedalong the section 38 under the vibratory action and are discharged fromthe machine through the outlet opening 37.

It will be noted that in both the machines described the channel is ofarcuate cross-section and extends round a substantial part of 360. Thisconfiguration assists in retaining the drying media, or the carriermedia in the case of degreasing, and at the same time allows workpiecesto project out of the open top of the channel during their travel. Thisoccurs with some workpieces and an open-topped channel is essential insuch. cases. In some circumstances a completely closed tube could beused but an open channel is generally preferred. The channel preferablyhas an arcuate bottom and either extends round an are greater than 180as described or has parallel vertical sides upstanding from an arcuatebase. The shape must be such that the desired orbital movement of thecharge is achieved without workpieces, media or liquid being thrown outof the channel.

The above embodiments are described and illustrated by way of exampleonly, and many variations and modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the invention. For example the spiral channel could haveany convenient number of turns and may include transverse slats or damsto assist upward travel of the mixture. Moreover various differentdrying media, such as dewatering liquid could be used, and in some casesthe heater compartment may be unnecessary. Where heating is provided itmay be by electric element, steam or hot water coil, hot air or otherconvenient means. In a further modification the chamber may have aconvex part-spherical rather than a conical floor to assist outwardmovement of the parts and treatment medium towards the lower end of thespiral. The spiral could extend round the outside of the chamber insteadof being located within it as illustrated. The period of time for whichthe parts are immersed in the treating medium may be varied byadjustment of the eccentric weights 24 and 25 to alter the vibratorymotion. The modification of FIG. 3 could be applied to the apparatus ofFIGS. 4 to 6.

It will be appreciated that the machines described are of compact andrelatively simple construction and may be used as part of a continuousproduction line, untreated parts being continuously dropped into thechamber from a conveyor or other suitable delivery mechanism and treatedparts being continuously collected from the discharge chute incontainers, conveyors or other suitable receptacles. The length of theperforated upper end of the spiral channel may be varied depending onthe nature of the components being treated and the vibratory movementcould be achieved by means other than a motor fitted with eccentricweights, for example by electro-magnetic means. Moreover it has beenfound that the motion imparted in vibratory machines according to theinvention causes little or no damage to the parts being treated.

I claim: I

1. Apparatus for the drying or degreasing of parts comprising a chamberdefining a vertically orientated spiral path in the form of a channelhaving a bottom of arcuate cross-section subtending an angle of at least180 and adapted to receive a body of drying or degreasing medium andparts to be treated, and means for applying to the chamber a vibratorymovement in the form of a high frequency rotary oscillation about asubstantially vertical axis with an upward and downward component in themovement to cause the parts to travel up and around said path whileundergoing orbital movement in substantially vertical planes.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said spiral path is locatedwithin a surrounding chamber.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein an upper portion of saidspiral path extends across the chamber and is perforated wherebytreating medium carried up the path with the parts may fall back intothe chamber through the perforations.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said chamber has a floor whichis raised in the centre and slopes downwards and outwards from thecentre.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 including means for applying heat tothe chamber.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the means for applying heat isa heating coil located beneath the floor of the chamber.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said channel has an arcuatebottom and parallel vertical side walls.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1 applicable to the cleaning ordegreasing of parts and including means for maintaining a constant levelof cleaning or degreasing fluid in said chamber and means for filteringand recirculating excess fluid drawn from the chamber.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 including means for condensing fumesgiven off by said fluid and for extracting fumes not condensed.

10. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said vibratory movement isapplied by means of a vertically orientated motor whose shaft is fittedwith eccentric weights, the motor being attached to said chamber and thelatter being resiliently supported on a fixed base.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the eccentricity of one orboth of said weights is adjustable.

12. Apparatus according to claim 1 provided with ground engaging wheelsfor transport purposes and means for raising the wheels clear of theground during operation.

13. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said channel has an arcuatecross-section subtending an angle in excess of

1. Apparatus for the drying or degreasing of parts comprising a chamberdefining a vertically orientated spiral path in the form of a channelhaving a bottom of arcuate cross-section subtending an angle of at least180* and adapted to receive a body of drying or degreasing medium andparts to be treated, and means for applying to the chamber a vibratorymovement in the form of a high frequency rotary oscillation about asubstantially vertical axis with an upward and downward component in themovement to cause the parts to travel up and around said path whileundergoing orbital movement in substantially vertical planes. 2.Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said spiral path is locatedwithin a surrounding chamber.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 2 whereinan upper portion of said spiral path extends across the chamber and isperforated whereby treating medium carried up the path with the partsmay fall back into the chamber through the perforations.
 4. Apparatusaccording to claim 1 wherein said chamber has a floor which is raised inthe centre and slopes downwards and outwards from the centre. 5.Apparatus according to claim 1 including means for applying heat to thechamber.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the means forapplying heat is a heating coil located beneath the floor of thechamber.
 7. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said channel has anarcuate bottom and parallel vertical side walls.
 8. Apparatus accordingto claim 1 applicable to the cleaning or degreasing of parts andincluding means for maintaining a constant level of cleaning ordegreasing fluid in said chamber and means for filtering andrecirculating excess fluid drawn from the chamber.
 9. Apparatusaccording to claim 8 including means for condensing fumes given off bysaid fluid and for extracting fumes not condensed.
 10. Apparatusaccording to claim 1 wherein said vibratory movement is applied by meansof a vertically orientated motor whose shaft is fitted with eccentricweights, the motor being attached to said chamber and the latter beingresiliently supported on a fixed base.
 11. Apparatus according to claim10 wherein the eccentricity of one or both of said weights isadjustable.
 12. Apparatus according to claim 1 provided with groundengaging wheels for transport purposes and means for raising the wheelsclear of the ground during operation.
 13. Apparatus according to claim 1wherein said channel has an arcuate cross-section subtending an angle inexcess of 180*.